glucosamine for arthritis - can it raise blood sugar?
 

Well, the family genes on mum's side seem to have caught up with me (Dad's side are the diabetics and hypoglycamics, so they've already got me!). I've got some finger joints and a shoulder badly hot and swollen with arthritis. My gran and mum suffer badly with it, so I did wonder if I might.
Not at all happy about the idea - I sew, play musical instruments, climb, run etc. Can't face not being able to.
Anyway, not to get too depressed too soon, I've been reading that glucosamine and chondroitin as supplements (more supplements!!) are good for arthritis. But there was just a one-liner that said that glucosamine can raise blood sugar levels.
Obviously I don't want my efforts to sort out my joints to mess up my low-carbing. Does anyone know anything more about this?

Hi Jay,

Alas, it does seem that glucosamine can affect blood sugar levels. Doreen posted about this recently here: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=1359236

Personally, I couldn't take the G & C tablets due to gut problems. But I use glucosamine cream which is supposed to have similar good effects without the side effects. :)

I also take fish oil capsules and celery seed tablets. The combination of those two supps has definitely helped reduce my pain. :thup:

And remember that applying heat (heating pad, or ordinary old hot water bottle) can do much to alleviate acute pain.

HTH

:rose:Rosebud:rose:

Thanks Rosebud. That's quite a serious set of side effects from glucosamine, especially for someone who's already insulin resistant! I already take fish oil, so I might look for the celery seed.
I bought my mum an aromatherapy heat pad that you warm up in the microwave - looks like I might be back for one myself!
Most of my fingers are a bit better this morning.